Penton Media Europe (PME) has announced that it has retained the management contract for the UK`s fifth largest trade show - the IOG SALTEX open space management exhibition - for a further three years. The news comes just two months after the announcement that Penton`s European business has been the subject of a management buy-out.

IOG SALTEX [Sports, Amenities and Landscaping Trades Exhibition - on 6-8 September 2005, Windsor Racecourse] is the leading B2B event for the open space management industry. The renewal of the contract between PME and the Institute of Groundsmanship [IOG] - which was won in a competitive pitch - is a testament to the successful partnership between the two organisations that has seen the event sold out for the last two years. IOG SALTEX features over 440 exhibiting companies, and generates annual attendances of around 16,000 business visitors.

PME Director Michael Westcott commented: " With over 47,000m of sold space and a long and rich heritage, IOG SALTEX is a very special event and it is a real privilege to be given the opportunity to manage it through another three years, taking our tenure to 14 years in total. Securing this important contract is also particularly satisfying for us at a time when we begin a new chapter in the development of our business. We are grateful to the IOG for their continued faith in us."

"We are delighted to award Penton a new contract for IOG SALTEX and continue our partnership which has seen the show go from strength to strength." said Derek Walder, President of the IOG.

"Thanks to our partnership with Penton, IOG SALTEX is the fifth largest trade show in the country and last year posted a record number of more than 440 exhibiting companies," he added.

Following its 66-year tradition, IOG SALTEX 2005 will again embrace fine turf and sports surfaces, turf maintenance equipment, children's play and safety surfacing, contractors, commercial vehicles, leisure and facilities management and software as well as security equipment, and is aimed at everyone involved in open space management - from groundsmen and greenkeepers through to architects, designers and surveyors as well as local authority and leisure facility managers.